Australian soccer
- Analysis
- FIFA World Cup
One last push, and the Socceroos can book their spot at the 2026 World Cup
The equation is simple for Australia after their 2-0 victory in China: win their next match and they’ll seal qualification for next year’s tournament.
- Vince Rugari
Latest
Socceroos player ratings: Irvine, Velupillay star but issues remain
Australia may now be in the driver’s seat, but the hard work is still to come. Here’s a look at how they performed in their World Cup qualifier against China in Hangzhou.
- Paul Zalunardo
World Cup qualifiers 2025 as it happened: Socceroos cruise to vital 2-0 win over China
Australia’s direct qualification hopes for next year’s World Cup will now come down to June’s clashes with Japan and Saudi Arabia after an important victory in Hangzhou on Tuesday night.
- Vince Rugari
- Analysis
- Socceroos
Xi’s plan to make China a football power is failing. Australia can deliver the killer blow
FIFA expanded the World Cup to 48 teams partly to give China a better chance to qualify. But unless they beat the Socceroos on Tuesday, they will likely fall short again.
- Vince Rugari
The sooner the Socceroos qualify, the sooner they can try to solve their age-old problem
Injuries to Adam Taggart and Kusini Yengi have further exposed Australia’s lack of quality striking options - an issue coach Tony Popovic probably can’t fix until after 2026 World Cup qualification is clinched.
- Vince Rugari
Late-blooming Socceroos star was good enough to play with Europe’s best. But he hasn’t given up hope
Craig Goodwin is assessing his club options ahead of a likely move away from Saudi Arabia. On recent form, he could hold his own in a top five league in Europe.
- Vince Rugari
- Analysis
- FIFA World Cup
It’s early days, but Socceroos believe they can become ‘unstoppable’ under Popovic
Tony Popovic’s Socceroos are clearly a work in progress, as their first 15 minutes against Indonesia showed. But there is clear progress being made.
- Vince Rugari
Daniel Arzani should have been a star. This might be his last chance to prove he still can be
It’s been a long time since Daniel Arzani was billed as the Socceroos’ next big thing. If Tony Popovic’s public bake can’t bring out his best, maybe nothing will.
- Vince Rugari
- Analysis
- Indonesia
The Barcelona legend, the billionaire politician and the Indonesian plot to usurp the Socceroos
The appointment of Patrick Kluivert as Indonesia’s national team coach is the latest sign that Australia’s northern neighbours are finally getting serious about their national sport.
- Vince Rugari
There will be blood (but no lollies): The 1 percenters driving Popovic’s Socceroos
Playing for Tony Popovic is not for the faint of heart – as players like Jackson Irvine are finding out.
- Vince Rugari
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/australian-soccer-1nwx